Santa Barbara — Signage

Overview

Santa Barbara regulates signs through a centralized citywide Sign Ordinance — the Sign Ordinance, Chapter 22.70 — not through individual zoning districts. The Title 28 zoning chapters for residential, commercial, industrial, and special districts all point back to Chapter 22.70 for what is allowed. If you are in an overlay, signs follow the rules of the basic zone beneath it.

The core rule: in Santa Barbara, signs are allowed “only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance” and not by the individual zoning district; overlays follow the basic zone’s sign rules (§ 28.15.110; § 28.21.110; § 28.30.110; § 28.39.110; § 28.42.110; § 28.46.055; § 28.48.110; § 28.54.110; § 28.57.110; § 28.63.110).

How Santa Barbara organizes sign regulation

• Santa Barbara uses a citywide sign code — the Sign Ordinance (Chapter 22.70) — to define sign types, sizes, locations, illumination, and related standards. The Title 28 zoning districts do not add separate sign allowances.
• Multiple zoning districts explicitly defer to Chapter 22.70 for what signs are permitted, including residential and commercial areas (§ 28.15.110; § 28.21.110; § 28.30.110; § 28.39.110; § 28.48.110; § 28.54.110; § 28.57.110; § 28.63.110).
• Overlay districts do not set independent sign rights; they use the basic zone’s sign rules unless Chapter 22.70 says otherwise (§ 28.42.110).
• Some districts include a “restrictions on usage of signs” clause that still points to Chapter 22.70 (§ 28.46.055).

Linkages to other local programs:

• Signs may be affected by Santa Barbara Zoning (to identify your basic zone), applicable Overlay Districts (which follow the basic zone for signs per § 28.42.110), and any applicable Historic Preservation contexts (verify, as specifics are in Chapter 22.70 or separate historic rules).
• If your project also includes site changes, coordinate with Santa Barbara Development Standards and potential Santa Barbara Design Review requirements for the broader project scope.
• Existing signage situations may implicate Santa Barbara Nonconforming Uses if signs were installed under older rules; verify status under Chapter 22.70.

Where do the rules come from? (Decision snapshot)

The following Title 28 sections funnel all sign permissions to the citywide Sign Ordinance, with one overlay clause that points back to the basic zone:

District-by-district applicability

Below are the Title 28 districts/chapters referenced in the source materials and what they say about signage. Each directs you to the citywide Sign Ordinance, Chapter 22.70.

Properties governed by § 28.15.110

• Rule: Signs are permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance. See Chapter 22.70 for sign types, size, placement, and illumination (§ 28.15.110).
• Practical tip: Do not assume yard signs, wall signs, or monument signs are allowed by this zone chapter; check Chapter 22.70.

Properties governed by § 28.21.110

• Rule: Signs are permitted only as prescribed in the City’s Sign Ordinance (§ 28.21.110).
• Practical tip: All sign allowances and limits live in Chapter 22.70; the zone itself does not grant sign entitlements.

Properties governed by § 28.30.110

• Rule: Signs are permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance (§ 28.30.110).
• Practical tip: For commercial storefronts, size and location limits come from Chapter 22.70, not this zone chapter.

Properties governed by § 28.39.110

• Rule: Signs are permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance (§ 28.39.110).
• Practical tip: Verify sign types (e.g., projecting, window, awning) in Chapter 22.70.

Overlay-controlled properties — § 28.42.110

• Rule: Signs shall be permitted as provided in the basic zone in which the property is located (§ 28.42.110).
• Practical tip: Start with your basic zone’s sign treatment (which also points to Chapter 22.70). Overlays do not create independent sign entitlements unless Chapter 22.70 says so.

Properties governed by § 28.46.055

• Rule: Restrictions on usage of signs; signs shall be permitted only as provided in Chapter 22.70 (§ 28.46.055).
• Practical tip: Expect Chapter 22.70 to apply closely here; confirm any district-specific limitations in Chapter 22.70.

Properties governed by § 28.48.110

• Rule: Signs are permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance (§ 28.48.110).
• Practical tip: Retail/downtown signs (including projecting or pedestrian-oriented signs) must meet Chapter 22.70.

Properties governed by § 28.54.110

• Rule: Signs are permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance (§ 28.54.110).
• Practical tip: For larger sites or campuses, consult Chapter 22.70 for comprehensive sign programs if applicable.

Properties governed by § 28.57.110

• Rule: Signs are permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance (§ 28.57.110).
• Practical tip: Illumination and height limits, if any, are defined in Chapter 22.70.

Properties governed by § 28.63.110

• Rule: Signs are permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance (§ 28.63.110).
• Practical tip: Window, temporary, and directional sign rules are in Chapter 22.70.

Practical guidance for projects

• Find your basic zone using the Santa Barbara Zoning map or entitlement documents; then go directly to Chapter 22.70 for the controlling sign rules (all the districts listed above defer to it).
• If you are within a special plan or overlay, § 28.42.110 says follow your basic zone’s sign rules for signs — which still means Chapter 22.70 controls.
• If your site is in a historic resource or district, coordinate early. While the sign standards live in Chapter 22.70, additional review may be required; start with Santa Barbara Historic Preservation and Santa Barbara Design Review to understand context review expectations. Verify with the jurisdiction.
• For broader site work that also triggers parking changes, setbacks, or landscaping, align sign placement with Santa Barbara Development Standards, Santa Barbara Parking, and Santa Barbara Landscaping and Screening as part of overall site design. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Checklist

• Identify your property’s basic zoning district (Title 28).
• Confirm if you are in an overlay; remember signs follow the basic zone per § 28.42.110.
• Consult the citywide Sign Ordinance (Chapter 22.70) for sign type, size, height, location, lighting, materials, and any exemptions.
• If in a historic context or design district, coordinate with Santa Barbara Design Review and Santa Barbara Historic Preservation. Verify with the jurisdiction.
• If existing signs are present, assess whether they are conforming or potentially nonconforming; see Santa Barbara Nonconforming Uses. Not found in source materials — verify under Chapter 22.70.
• Align any site changes with related Development Standards and Parking requirements to avoid conflicts with sign placement.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

In Santa Barbara, your zoning district does not set its own sign sizes or types. Every Title 28 district listed here tells you to use the citywide Sign Ordinance (Chapter 22.70), and overlay districts follow the basic zone for signage. Start in Chapter 22.70 for what you can install, then confirm whether any Design Review or Historic Preservation context adds review steps.

Information Gaps

• The specific content of the Sign Ordinance (Chapter 22.70) — sign types, sizes, heights, illumination, exemptions, and processes — is not included in the source materials.
• District names corresponding to the cited Title 28 sections (e.g., which are residential vs. commercial by label) are not confirmed in the source materials.
• Rules for nonconforming signs, comprehensive sign programs, or historic-district-specific sign standards are not present in the source materials.

Source References

• § 28.15.110 — Signs permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance.
• § 28.21.110 — Signs permitted only as prescribed in the City’s Sign Ordinance.
• § 28.30.110 — Signs permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance.
• § 28.39.110 — Signs permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance.
• § 28.42.110 — Signs permitted as provided in the basic zone.
• § 28.46.055 — Restrictions on usage of signs; only as provided in Chapter 22.70.
• § 28.48.110 — Signs permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance.
• § 28.54.110 — Signs permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance.
• § 28.57.110 — Signs permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance.
• § 28.63.110 — Signs permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance.

See overview context pages: Santa Barbara zoning & planning overview, Santa Barbara Land Use, and Santa Barbara Development Standards.

Source passages

• Santa Barbara Zoning Code (§ 28.46.055) Medium relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara Zoning Code (§ 28.54.110) Medium relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara Zoning Code (§ 28.57.110) Medium relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara Zoning Code (§ 28.30.110) Medium relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara Zoning Code (§ 28.48.110) Medium relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara Zoning Code (§ 28.39.110) Medium relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara Zoning Code (§ 28.15.110) Medium relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara Zoning Code (§ 28.63.110) Medium relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara Zoning Code (§ 28.42.110) Medium relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara Zoning Code (§ 28.21.110) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• § 28.15.110 — Signs permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance. (§ 28.15.110)
• § 28.21.110 — Signs permitted only as prescribed in the City’s Sign Ordinance. (§ 28.21.110)
• § 28.30.110 — Signs permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance. (§ 28.30.110)
• § 28.39.110 — Signs permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance. (§ 28.39.110)
• § 28.42.110 — Signs permitted as provided in the basic zone. (§ 28.42.110)
• § 28.46.055 — Restrictions on usage of signs; only as provided in Chapter 22.70. (§ 28.46.055)
• § 28.48.110 — Signs permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance. (§ 28.48.110)
• § 28.54.110 — Signs permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance. (§ 28.54.110)
• § 28.57.110 — Signs permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance. (§ 28.57.110)
• § 28.63.110 — Signs permitted only as provided in the City’s Sign Ordinance. (§ 28.63.110)

• Official Santa Barbara code library